Altair, Texas
Encyclopedia
Altair is an unincorporated community
in Colorado County, Texas
, United States
. According to the Handbook of Texas
, the community had an estimated population of 30 in 2000.
in south central Colorado County, approximately nine miles south of Columbus
and 28 miles north of El Campo
.
in Fort Bend County
, the post office name was changed to Altair on September 19, 1890. That same year, a town site was laid out and a branch of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad
arrived. By 1897, Altair had a population of approximately 100 with two stores, a gin, lumberyard, blacksmith shop, and hotel. A school house was also constructed in 1897 and a telephone line was laid from Columbus to Altair.
The community's relatively close proximity to the larger city of Columbus played a role in keeping Altair small. The population peaked at around 200 in 1960 and had fallen to 80 by the mid-1970s. By the 1990s, there were a few businesses in Altair, including a rice-drying facility. The number of inhabitants had fallen to 30 in 2000.
Although it is unincorporated, Altair has a post office, with the ZIP code of 77412.
. The district, which serves southern Colorado County, is headquartered in Altair.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Colorado County, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. According to the Handbook of Texas
Handbook of Texas
The Handbook of Texas is a comprehensive encyclopedia of Texas geography, history, and historical persons published by the Texas State Historical Association .-History:...
, the community had an estimated population of 30 in 2000.
Geography
Altair is located at 29°34′17"N 96°27′15"W (29.5713505, -96.4541355). It is situated along U.S. Highway 90AU.S. Route 90 Alternate (Texas)
U.S. Highway 90 Alternate is an alternate route to U.S. Highway 90 in the U.S. state of Texas, running from west of Seguin east via Seguin, Gonzales, Hallettsville, Eagle Lake, Rosenberg and Sugar Land to northeastern Houston...
in south central Colorado County, approximately nine miles south of Columbus
Columbus, Texas
Columbus is a city in Colorado County, Texas, United States, west of Houston along Interstate 10, on the Colorado River. In 1890, 2,199 people lived in Columbus, Texas; in 1900, there were 1,824 residents. The population was 3,916 as of the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Colorado County...
and 28 miles north of El Campo
El Campo, Texas
El Campo is a city in Wharton County, Texas, United States. The population was 10,945 at the 2000 census, making it the largest city in Wharton County.-Geography:...
.
History
The community dates from the late 1880s. Located on the R.E. and John Stafford ranch property, the community developed into a cattle loading station that was initially called Stafford's Ranch. A post office at Stafford's Ranch was established on October 4, 1888 with John Stafford as postmaster. To avoid postal confusion with the nearby town of StaffordStafford, Texas
Stafford is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The city is mostly in Fort Bend County with a small portion in Harris County. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, Stafford's population was 15,681....
in Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County, Texas
Fort Bend County is a county located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. In 2000 its population was 354,452, while the 2010 U.S...
, the post office name was changed to Altair on September 19, 1890. That same year, a town site was laid out and a branch of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad
Texas and New Orleans Railroad
The Texas and New Orleans Railroad is a former railroad in Texas and Louisiana. At one point the company was the largest railroad in Texas, with of trackage in 1934, but by 1961 there were only remaining when it was merged with parent company Southern Pacific....
arrived. By 1897, Altair had a population of approximately 100 with two stores, a gin, lumberyard, blacksmith shop, and hotel. A school house was also constructed in 1897 and a telephone line was laid from Columbus to Altair.
The community's relatively close proximity to the larger city of Columbus played a role in keeping Altair small. The population peaked at around 200 in 1960 and had fallen to 80 by the mid-1970s. By the 1990s, there were a few businesses in Altair, including a rice-drying facility. The number of inhabitants had fallen to 30 in 2000.
Although it is unincorporated, Altair has a post office, with the ZIP code of 77412.
Education
Public education in the community of Altair is provided by the Rice Consolidated Independent School DistrictRice Consolidated Independent School District
Rice Consolidated Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Altair, Texas .In addition to Altair, the district serves the city of Eagle Lake, the communities of Garwood and Sheridan, as well as rural areas in southern Colorado County.In 2009, the school...
. The district, which serves southern Colorado County, is headquartered in Altair.